Fracking decision needs to be well-founded

A long-awaited decision on whether to allow hydraulic fracturing in New York will be delayed while the state reviews potential public health effects. That might be disappointing to gas industry interests, who have seen the review process stretch over four years, but state leaders need not apologize for doing their due diligence.

After all, hydrofracking, or fracking, has the potential to affect not only the state's economy and jobs market for the better, but its environment, infrastructure and public health for the worse. The state Department of Environmental Conservation - the agency spearheading the review - has to get this one right.

That means not only deciding whether to give gas drillers the green light but, if so, how to monitor the practice, manage the process and mitigate the threats.

It is those threats - critics warn of contaminated drinking water and air pollution - that lead even towns unlikely to see fracking activity, such as Brighton and Perinton, to pass local laws opposing the practice.

Such public health concerns also led to state DEC Commissioner Joseph Martens' Sept. 20 announcement that the state's health commissioner will assess his agency's analysis of hydrofracking health effects. That drew frowns from fracking opponents, who wanted an independent analysis, and from gas companies (and land owners with drilling leases), who want a final decision.

But as Gov. Andrew Cuomo correctly argues, there should be no "artificial deadline."

There has been no lack of data for the DEC to consider, from industry reports to first-hand accounts in states such as Pennsylvania where hydrofracking is under way, to tens of thousands of public comments. A rushed review process would have been irresponsible.

Supporters and foes of hydrofracking won't agree on the DEC's ultimate decision. But all should agree it was the result of a thorough and deliberate process.

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Fracking decision needs to be well-founded

A long-awaited decision on whether to allow hydraulic fracturing in New York will be delayed while the state reviews potential public health effects.